OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesPA-24-179

Independent Scientist Award (Parent K02 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

National Institutes of HealthCloses May 7, 2027(206 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is an NIH career development award (K02) giving newly independent scientists 3-5 years of salary support and protected time to intensify their research, for projects that do not involve leading an independent clinical trial. It is for researchers embedded in an eligible organization such as a university, nonprofit, government, tribal entity, or small business. If you are a business owner looking for operating capital, or you want to lead your own clinical trial, this is not your program.

Best for
Newly independent scientists at universities or research institutes, Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) research programs, Small businesses and for-profits doing non-clinical-trial research, Tribal organizations and government entities with research staff
Not for
Businesses outside health research, like retail, finance, or software shops, Scientists planning to lead their own clinical trial, Foreign organizations and non-U.S. entities
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (clinical)
82
Strong Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
54
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
54
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
54
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
54
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
54
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
54
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
54
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
54
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Nothing in this notice points to technology & software
54
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Not clearly about your industry or what you need funding for; check the…
54
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Salary support, Research, Protected time
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
May 7, 2027.
Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status), small businesses, other for-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, public housing authorities, independent school districts, and certain other entities listed in the notice. Foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. The notice lists small businesses and for-profit organizations as eligible, but it does not address sole proprietors or single-member LLCs specifically.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Both nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible.

Summary

NIH K02 career development award providing 3-5 years of salary support and protected time for newly independent scientists to intensify research focus. Open to universities, nonprofits, governments, tribes, small businesses, and for-profits. For research not involving leading an independent clinical trial.

About this grant

The purpose of the NIH Independent Scientist Award (K02) is to foster the development of outstanding scientists and enable them to expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field of research. The K02 award provides three to five years of salary support and "protected time" for newly independent scientists who can demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research focus as a means of enhancing their research careers. Each independent scientist career award program must be tailored to meet the individual needs of the candidate.This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is designed specifically for applicants proposing research that does not involve leading an independent clinical trial, a clinical trial feasibility study, or a separate ancillary clinical trial. Applicants to this FOA are permitted to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by another investigator. Applicants proposing a clinical trial or an ancillary clinical trial as lead investigator, should apply to the companion FOA

Who can apply

Other Eligible Applicants include the following:

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs); Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government; Faith-based or Community-based Organizations; Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations); Regional Organizations; Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) ; U.S. Territory or Possession; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.

Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science
  • Research

Program contact

National Institutes of Healthgrantsinfo@nih.gov301-402-2541

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